Saints vs. Chargers Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks: NFL Preseason Week 1

Spencer Rattler gets the start for the New Orleans Saints, and we're backing the second-year signal-caller to kick off his preseason successfully.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 11:45 AM EDT • 5 minute read

The Los Angeles Chargers host the New Orleans Saints today at 4 p.m. ET (NFL Network) from SoFi Stadium. Our Saints vs. Chargers prediction doesn't believe that having a preseason game under its belt already gives Los Angeles an advantage.

The Saints range from 1.5-point favorites to 0.5-point underdogs at our best sports betting sites, and the game is getting an O/U between 36.5 and 37.5 points.

It's one of two Sunday games that complete our NFL preseason Week 1 predictions.

🏈 Saints vs. Chargers expert picks & predictions

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✅ Against the spread pick: Saints -1 first half spread (-110 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ My best bet: First scoring play- Saints field goal (+280 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

🔮 Saints vs. Chargers ATS prediction

Saints vs. Chargers Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks: NFL Preseason Week 1 — Pictured: Tyler Shough during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center as we offer our Saints vs. Chargers Prediction. Photo by Stephen Lew via Imagn Images

⚜️ Saints -1.5 first half spread ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📊 Best odds: +118 via FanDuel ($10 to win $11.80)
🔢 Implied probability: 45.87%

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Los Angeles jumped out early on Detroit in its first preseason action in the Hall of Fame Game and never looked back. The Chargers scored touchdowns on two of their first three possessions and had a chance at more points on the other, but missed a field goal.

However, I expect an eager Saints team to get off to a quicker start in this one.

New Orleans will begin with Spencer Rattler under center, who started six games as a rookie last year. While Rattler failed to lead the team to a win in any of those six starts, he has reportedly shown excellent command of the offense so far in camp.

I am limiting this wager to just the first half, as it is anyone’s guess what to expect from Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough when he takes over.

Meanwhile, I expect Kellen Moore’s New Orleans squad to be the much more aggressive team in terms of play-calling in his head coaching debut, compared to Jim Harbaugh’s team that called 35 runs to 23 passes in the preseason opener.

This is not the best number for a first-half spread, as other top sports betting apps, such as Caesars, only have the Saints at -1 (-110). However, the potential return on FanDuel’s +118 odds is too good to pass up, especially with only having to lay a half-point more over the first 30 minutes.

📖 Check out our 2025 NFL preseason betting guide for the best betting strategies and full NFL preseason schedule.

💰 Saints vs. Chargers best bet

🔥 First scoring play: Saints field goal ⭐⭐⭐

📊 Best odds: +280 via FanDuel ($10 to win $28)
🔢 Implied probability: 26.32%

The Saints and Chargers have +240 odds to score a touchdown as their first scoring play. But given that Los Angeles only allowed one touchdown in its preseason opener, I am opting for New Orleans to kick a field goal to open the game at similar odds.

Not taking anything away from L.A.’s fast start in the Hall of Fame Game, but its first touchdown drive came off a short field after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff.

And since Rattler only threw for four touchdowns in seven games last season and will not have Alvin Kamara to hand off to, scoring three points will constitute a successful drive.

📊 Saints vs. Chargers odds

Live updated odds from our best live betting sites. Follow the latest NFL scores for line history and matchup info.

🪧 Saints vs. Chargers opening odds:

Saints: -2.5 (-110)
Chargers: +2.5 (-110)

🚑 Saints vs. Chargers injuries

📈 Saints vs. Chargers betting insights

Here are some betting insights from BetMGM in the hours before kickoff:

The Chargers' moneyline (-135) is the most popular bet ahead of NFL preseason action on Sunday
Accordingly, Los Angeles is also receiving plenty of support to cover the small +1.5 spread while getting 74% of the bets and 82% of the handle
The Over on 37.5 is generating 82% of the bets, though a more narrow 51% of the handle

❓ NFL betting FAQs

What does the spread mean in betting NFL?

In NFL betting, the spread is the number of points a team is favored to win or lose by. It levels the playing field for bettors by giving an advantage or disadvantage in points. Bettors win if their pick covers the spread.

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Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”